Section 2: Views of Long-Term Future, Past

Most Americans are optimistic about the future of the U.S. over the next 50 years, but optimism has declined since April 2010 and is down considerably from the boom period of the late 1990s.

In the current survey, 54% say they are either very (17%) or somewhat (37%) optimistic about the future of the U.S. over the next 50 years. Less than a year ago, 61% expressed optimism, and 23% were very optimistic. And in May 1999, a 70% majority took either a very (23%) or somewhat (47%) optimistic view of life in the U.S. over the next 50 years.

Since spring 2010, older Americans, particularly those 50 to 64, have become more pessimistic about the long-term future of the country. Optimism among those ages 50 to 64 has declined 16 points since April 2010, while there has been no substantive change among those younger than 50.

Democrats also have become significantly less optimistic about the long-term future. In April 2010, 72% were either very or somewhat optimistic; in the current survey that figure is down 11 points to 61%. A similar decline in long-term optimism for the country can be seen among women (down 10 points) and those with lower levels of education.

Personal Optimism Steady Since Last Spring

While expectations for the future of the country over the next 50 years have declined since last April, personal expectations have remained stable. More than six-in-ten (63%) say they are either very (25%) or somewhat (38%) optimistic about life for their family over the next 50 years. This is unchanged from April 2010, though down significantly from May 1999.

People younger than 50 are among the most optimistic about life for their family in the future; nearly three-quarters (74%) express optimism compared with far fewer (50%) of those 50 and older.

Looking Back: Life Better Since the 1960s?

In May 1999, more than six-in-ten Americans (63%) said that their lives were better than the lives of family members 50 year earlier, in the 1950s. Currently, 50% say that their lives are better when compared with those of family members in the 1960.

Fewer people also say that life has gotten better in the United States over the past 50 years than did so in 1999. Today, about as many say life has gotten better in the U.S. since the 196os say life has gotten worse (37% vs. 38%); 19% say life has stayed the same. In 1999, 44% said life in the U.S. had gotten better since the 1950s, 30% said it had gotten worse, and 20% said it had stayed the same.

Those 50 and older take a more negative view of changes in the United States since the 1960s than do young people. Nearly half of those 65 and older (49%) and 50 to 64 (46%) say life in the U.S. has gotten worse since the 1960s. By contrast, those younger than 30, who have no personal memories of the 60s, are more likely to say that life has gotten better since then (47% better vs. 25% worse).

Better educated people also are more likely than those with less education to say that life has gotten better in the United States since the 1960s.

About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts.